Best Strains of Cannabis for Chronic Pain Relief

According to a recent study by the CDC, around 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, with chronic pain defined as “pain on most days or every day in the past six months.” With these alarming numbers, it is no wonder that pain management is one of the most common reasons why people seek out medical cannabis Marijuana, or cannabis, contains compounds that have been found to relieve pain, nausea, inflammation, Glaucoma symptoms, and many other medical conditions. Although the plant is comprised of over 120 compounds, the components of marijuana that most studies focus on for pain relief are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As discussed in Medical News Today, the THC compound resembles the cannabinoid chemicals that occur naturally in the body. When people ingest or inhale THC, it stimulates the brain’s cannabinoid receptors and activates the brains’ reward system. This in turn, reduces pain levels greatly in most people. It is important to remember that THC is a psychoactive compound as it binds to cannabinoid receptors. As such, it produces an elevated state of mind, known as a “high”. THC best helps relieve central and neuropathic pain. Although CBD interacts similarly with pain receptors in the brain to produce pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, CBD is non-psychotropic and does not cause a high. CBD has been found to exhibit enhancements in treating pain both when used on its own and when used in combination with THC. When used alone, CBD is largely best for inflammatory pain, such as that caused by arthritis or injuries. When choosing a cannabis strain for your pain management, however, it is important to look at more than just THC and CBD levels. Each patient is unique and finding the right cannabis for your condition may take some trial and error. As there are dozens of marijuana strains on the market, there are several things you need to consider, such as the type of pain you are experiencing and the level of psycho-activity you are comfortable with. Two of the most popular marijuana strains known for their pain relieving properties are Jack Herer and White Widow. According to MarijuanaDoctors, Jack Herer is excellent for easing nerve pain. This high-sativa strain is filled with natural painkillers, including pinene, a pine-scented compound that is thought to have anti-tumor properties. While Jack Herer is a pure sativa strain, White Widow is a hybrid strain that derives from two different strains; South Indian indica and South American sativa. This hybrid offers excellent pain relieving properties as well as “an uplifting, energetic, and euphoric feeling” (Way of Leaf). Beyond pain relief, many patients also use this strain for managing stress and depression. Another popular pain-relieving hybrid is ACDC. Although this strain can be difficult to come by, it is touted by Analytical Cannabis as being excellent for relieving pain and controlling stress. This cannabis produces “no noticeable high feeling due to very low THC content” (Analytical Cannabis), making it the perfect choice for a daytime marijuana. Other strains well-known for pain relieving properties are Afghan Kush, Blue Dream, GrandDaddy Purple, Girl Scout Cookies, AK-47, Bubba Kush, Purple Kush & Harlequin. With 1 in 5 American adults suffering from chronic pain, medial cannabis is an excellent choice for all-natural relief and has been found to be safer and less habit forming than man-made pain killers. As with any medication however, it is best to speak with your medical professional prior to adding marijuana into your regiment to ensure there are no medicinal issues or potential negative interactions with other medications. For a more in-depth discussion on marijuana use for pain relief, please check out the following resources: